For the first time, the country will have a child representative at a Conference of the Parties (COP) on climate change, Hlelolwenkhosi Malwande Nsibandze is set to carry the concerns of children from the country and the wider Southern African region to COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.
The historic participation is expected to give children a voice in global discussions on climate change, with Nsibandze saying he intends to raise issues affecting their lives, including food security, school meals, health, education and their future aspirations.
Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla, speaking during a send-off ceremony, described the development as a proud moment for the country, saying it demonstrated government’s commitment to ensuring children were not merely beneficiaries of development programmes but active participants in decisions affecting their future.
Dladla said children’s participation in national, regional and international platforms strengthened accountability and ensured that decisions were informed by their experiences and aspirations.
She committed government to continuing to support meaningful child participation and creating opportunities for children to be represented at future international forums and processes.
The DPM further emphasised the need for a clear post-COP31 Plan of Action through which Nsibandze and the delegation would share lessons, experiences and outcomes from the conference with children, young people, policymakers and duty bearers across the country.
She said the knowledge gained should contribute to strengthening national climate action efforts and inform future policy discussions.
Nsibandze, who serves as vice chairperson of the Eswatini National Children’s Participation and Consultative Forum and World Vision Eswatini’s Child Ambassador for the ENOUGH Campaign to End Child Hunger and Malnutrition, said he had already engaged other children in discussions on climate change and action.
He said the interactions had helped him understand the issues affecting children, particularly those linked to climate change, food security, school meals, health, education and their future aspirations.
He said he was travelling to Türkiye prepared to advocate for children because he understood that his responsibility extended beyond sharing his personal opinions.
“I am going to represent the voices, concerns, hopes and dreams of hundreds of thousands and maybe even millions of children and young people who will not be present at the conference,” he said.
World Vision Eswatini National Director Amos W. Zaindi said the organisation was proud that Nsibandze would represent not only the country, but also the wider Southern African region at the global climate conference.
Zaindi said climate change was not merely an environmental issue but also a child rights issue because its effects were experienced through food insecurity, water scarcity, health risks, disruptions to education and increased vulnerability to poverty and displacement.
He said children should not only be spoken about, but empowered to speak for themselves on matters affecting their lives and future.
Zaindi also revealed that securing Nsibandze’s participation required coordination between government ministries after it emerged that the young representative did not have a passport when the opportunity was confirmed. He said World Vision approached the DPM’s office for assistance, after which a letter requesting intervention was issued and the ministry of home affairs processed and issued Nsibandze’s passport in less than five days.
The ministry of tourism and environmental affairs facilitated accreditation for Nsibandze and his designated chaperone, Mpendulo Simelane of World Vision Eswatini.
Nsibandze is expected to leave for Türkiye today ahead of COP31, which will take place in Antalya from Monday to November 20, 2026.
The prime minister is also expected to attend the conference, representing His Majesty King Mswati III, alongside Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, whose ministry is responsible for climate change matters. Dladla commended the ministries and development partners involved, saying their efforts had made it possible for the country to have a child represented at the international forum.
She also highlighted Nsibandze’s previous regional leadership experience, including his election as deputy speaker of the SADC Children’s Parliament during the regional World Children’s Day commemorations held in Botswana last year.
The DPM said she had personally witnessed his ability to articulate children’s issues during their visit to Botswana and expressed confidence that he would represent the country with dignity and confidence.
She urged children and young people who were part of the Youth and Climate Change Team to share their concerns and messages with Nsibandze before his departure so that he could carry their collective priorities to the global platform.
Zaindi assured Nsibandze’s parents that World Vision was committed to maintaining child protection and safeguarding standards throughout the journey.
He also acknowledged the support of government, particularly the DPM’s office and the ministries of tourism and environmental affairs, home affairs and education and training, in facilitating the child’s participation.
‘I carry hopes, dreams of Eswatini and African children’
At 15, Hlelolwenkhosi Malwande Nsibandze is preparing to take his place at one of the world’s biggest climate conferences, but he says the responsibility goes far beyond representing himself.
The young Eswatini representative, who leaves for Türkiye to attend the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31), says he carries the hopes, concerns and aspirations of children who will not have an opportunity to attend the international gathering.
“I am going to represent the voices, concerns, hopes and dreams of hundreds of thousands and maybe even millions of children and young people who will not be present at the conference,” he said.
Hlelolwenkhosi said he had engaged children from different backgrounds in the country to discuss climate change and possible action. The interactions had helped him understand issues affecting them, particularly food security, school meals, health, education and their future aspirations.
He currently serves as vice chairperson of the Eswatini National Children’s Participation and Consultative Forum and as World Vision Eswatini’s Child Ambassador for the ENOUGH Campaign to End Child Hunger and Malnutrition.
His leadership experience extends to the regional level. Last year, he represented Eswatini at the SADC Children’s Parliament in Gaborone, Botswana, where he was elected Deputy speaker.
He has also participated in national engagements, including the launch of World Vision Eswatini’s Country Strategy and the Month of the Child.
As he prepares for COP31, Hlelolwenkhosi says he intends to ensure that children’s perspectives were included in discussions about the future of the planet.
Behind his journey are his parents, Mangaliso and Sibahle Nsibandze, who said they were proud of their son and grateful that they had supported him in pursuing what he loved rather than directing him towards interests of their own choosing.
They said allowing him to explore his interests had given him room to develop his abilities and grow as a young leader.
The parents also expressed gratitude to Government and World Vision Eswatini for supporting their son and making the opportunity possible, saying they hoped he would make the most of it and do his best in representing the country and the wider region.
Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla also commended the parents for nurturing and supporting their son’s leadership abilities, saying his confidence and ability to engage with others reflected the encouragement he received at home.
Hlelolwenkhosi expressed gratitude to his parents, teachers, school administration and fellow learners at Evelyn Baring High School for believing in him.
“I promise to represent Eswatini with pride, dignity and respect,” he said.
